Wine — Rioja, Ribera del Duero, Cava & Co.

Spain has the largest vineyard area in the world (almost one million hectares) and is the third-largest wine producer after Italy and France. Wine in Spain is not a luxury drink but an everyday companion — a good glass of Rioja with a tapa often costs only 2–3 € in a bar.

The Major Wine Regions

• Rioja: Spain's most famous wine region (northern Spain, along the Ebro). Tempranillo-based red wines, traditionally aged in American oak barrels. Quality levels: Joven (young), Crianza (12 months in barrel), Reserva (36 months), Gran Reserva (60 months). The region around Haro has the highest density of century-old wineries in the world
• Ribera del Duero: Powerful Tempranillo wines (called "Tinto Fino" here) from the highlands of Castile. The Vega Sicilia winery (founded in 1864) produces Spain's most expensive wine — the "Único" competes with Bordeaux's Premier Crus
• Priorat: Tiny region in Catalonia, steepest vineyards, most concentrated red wines. Garnacha and Cariñena from slate soils (Llicorella). Only 1,900 hectares, but world-renowned
• Rías Baixas: Galicia's white wine jewel. Albariño — fresh, mineral, perfect with seafood. The best from vineyards grown on pergolas (Parras)
• Rueda: Fresh Verdejo white wines from Castile — Spain's answer to Sauvignon Blanc
• Penedès & Cava: Catalonia's sparkling wine region. Cava is made using the traditional method (like Champagne) but costs a fraction. Sant Sadurní d'Anoia is the center — Codorníu and Freixenet are the most famous houses

Drinking Wine in Spain

Wine with meals is standard and affordable. A Menú del Día almost always includes a bottle (or half bottle) of wine. In bars, you order "un tinto" (red wine), "un blanco" (white wine), or "un rosado" (rosé). In summer, people drink Tinto de Verano (red wine with lemon soda) — more refreshing than Sangría and what Spaniards actually drink.